MORE FIRES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23259, 31 January 1939, Page 9

MORE FIRES

VICTORIAN BUSH TOWNS DESTROYED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE NO LIVES ENDANGERED By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received January 30 11.10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. SO The bush fires which broke out near Selby, in the Dandenong Ranges, yesterday, fanned by a strong wind to-day, swept upon Selby Township and destroyed ten houses. The fire is burning in an area containing many holiday and week-end homes of Melbourne residents, and many small townships. Fire fighters saved the remainder of Selby, while women and children sheltered in the brick St. Andrew's Church. The flames burned to within a few yards of the building.

The fire then swept toward Emerald, where two houses were burnt, and then to Belgrave South, destroying several houses before the fighters diverted it to an unsettled area, where it is still burning fiercely.

No further damage was expected, the wind having dropped, and a cool change with some rain being forecast. The wind rose again to-night, however, and the position in the Dandenong Ranges became more serious. The fire sWept back upon Selby, completing the work of destruction of the township, wiping out 10 shops and 20 mor.e houses. The smaller township of Lockwood, near Selby, also was wiped out. These fires were not attended by danger to life, as all were in accessible areas, but the losses in many cases are serious.

Reports are .also being received tonight of the revival of firos in the areas swept in the recent disaster. Lome is again in danger, while fires in the Otway Ranges in the western part of the State are raging fiercely. This area, however, is sparsely settled, but contains a large quantity of valuable forests.